The real indicator of a quality school system ?

There was an amusing "My Turn" column in the Cape Cod Times last week. Although the paper didn't say it, the writer appears to be a Junior at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional HS -- and an avid volleyball player. (She refers to neighboring school districts as "opposing" schools.)  The writer asked the question, "Could the end of school choice be the savior of struggling Cape districts?". It's an interesting question, but then logic sailed off into the left field wall. 

A few points:

While accepting School Choice students is up to the local School Committee, allowing students to leave their Home District for another school system is a provision of state law -- not a local decision.

Then the math gets a little fuzzy, the writer claims it costs the sending district approximately $5,000/student, which is pretty accurate, but then says that the 175 student choosing to leave Dennis-Yarmouth costs that District "almost $2 million". I have no idea if the number of students is correct but, by my math, 175 x $5,000 = $875,000. Not a small number -- but less than half of $2 million.

The writer also points out the unfairness of D-Y paying out $1.5 million more than it receives (because outgoing students far exceed incoming students). While at the same time Chatham receives $1.1 million more from incoming students than it pays for outgoing students.

Assuming her numbers are correct, that says 2 things:

First, it indicates that the Chatham School Committee recognized they had the capacity to educate more kids and, rather than leave those seats vacant, they maximized the use of their facilities and essentially leased space to other Districts -- good move for Chatham students and taxpayers -- this revenue pays for services that otherwise would have either been eliminated or paid for with local tax revenue.

Second, it shows that enough people have a favorable impression of the Chatham Schools (and/or unfavorable impression of their own) that they are willing to drive their kids out to the elbow of the Cape to attend them.

I'm not sure what's "unfair".  Many would point out that its unfair that parents feel they can't put their kids on the local school bus and, instead, become obligated to schlep them down  to the elbow of the Cape (or some other District) each day.

School Choice is basic Free Market economics.  If the local schools don't provide the product the parent want, they are able to find another that does.  Rather than restrict access to other Districts, School systems should be seeing this as an incentive to improve programs and facilities -- to not only retain local students and reduce outgoing tuition, but also to encourage incoming student to fill otherwise empty seats and to generate local revenue.  (With the caveat that there needs to be a proper analysis to ensure that a District is not over-committing seats to outside students who are entitled to not only stay until graduation, but also to bring in siblings.)

I guess the crux of the article is this quote:

"The schools on Cape Cod are hardly different, and none are bad. They are all high quality, with athletics, academics, music, arts and more and have a lot to offer. There is no reason to want to go to one over another."

As much as I appreciate the wisdom, knowledge, and experience of a 17 year old, and at the risk of sounding like a condescending old fart, I would only ask, "Says who?".  She goes on to say:

"Many Cape Cod residents have strong beliefs on which schools are the stronger schools. Dennis-Yarmouth and Barnstable are usually on the bottom of that list. However, with Dennis-Yarmouth's recently Super Bowl champions and Barnstable's annual state champion volleyball team, ask students — the ones who have the most credible opinion of their school — what they think and maybe those opinions will be changed."

That explains it!  Forget test scores, or graduation plans -- the real indicator of a quality school system is the students' opinion of their football & volleyball teams!

OMG!

Random Thoughts from around the Punch Bowl ...

Merry Christmas!, Merry Christmas!, Merry Christmas!

Not Happy Holidays, Not Happy Winter Solstice, Not Happy Generic Winter Non-Denominational Event, Not Even Happy Festivus !

Merry F'n Christmas !

Now that I have that out of my system -- Please feel free to celebrate whatever holiday you choose -- but DO NOT prevent me from celebrating mine!  Because something is recognized by a large number of people (Dare I say a local "majority" ?) does that make it a Bad Thing?

I applaud the Town of Saugus (coincidentally, the home of the original Sandwich settlers) for having the guts (polite term) to keep delivering Santa to the the Schools on a firetruck -- political correctness be damned!!  (Of course, we could discuss why classroom instruction is being interrupted for any purpose -- but that is a separate (grinch-like) discussion.)

Other Random Thoughts looking for a home:

Wing School Reno?  Maybe I missed the updates, but are we hoping it will just go away if we ignore it?  (Hint:  That hasn't worked too well in the past!)

The Community School ?   I've been sitting quietly waiting for the New Team to begin publicly discussing a plan, but my hunch is that even the Three Wisemen would rather hang out in The Manger than sign up for Trustee Duty in a Financial Sinkhole, inhabited by Rabid Pool People. 

Teachers Contract?  Will we be able to end what appears to be the local drama club try-outs for a re-make of the movie Norma Rae which seem to be occurring with greater frequency at School Committee Meetings -- as Union Leaders DON'T negotiate in front of the camera?  (I hope nobody gets the urge to say, "They like me, they really like me!".  If so, they would be mistaken.)

The Budget?  If we start the year with $500K less in Fed grant money, AND we pay out another $500K in increased longevity & steps, AND reach settlement with the Teachers Union for some sort of COLA (retroactive to FY '11), AND fund Department Heads with Funds previously budgeted for the Assistant Superintendent (who was previously eliminated from the Budget due to a lack of funds), where does that leave us?

Snow Job?  Rumor has it that several members of the BOS have been doing a "Sun Dance" around the DPW yard in an effort to ward off snow -- and the inevitable public outrage that will occur the first time somebody's street doesn't get plowed.  On the bright side, it takes so long for Fire/EMS to respond to the far corners of East Sandwich that the street probably will be plowed by the time the red trucks arrive!  Maybe we could put a plow blade on one of the Engines stored at Station Two?

FLASH FROM THE PAST:  One cold December night a few years back, the Chairmen of the Selectmen and School Committee huddled at a Main Street kitchen table discussing the best way to improve communications between the two Boards, and to prevent future Budget "surprises".  A little further down Main Street, the Firefighters' Union was sponsoring an Open House with tractor rides, a camp  fire, Santa and inumerable happy kids and pleased parents.  As if the firefighters' gesture didn't generate enough goodwill  on its own, they were also refusing cash donations from appreciative residents that night.

Still further down Main Street,  the president of the Teacher's Union was preparing to file a grievance against the Superintendent and the School Committee because they had the sheer audacity to lease a portable computer for every teacher in the District.  Imagine the outrageousness of allowing your teachers access to the latest technology !!  (She couldn't kill the effort, but she did manage to keep the machines locked up in a closet while generating still more ill will and bad publicity.  But, in the Big Picture, I am sure it was ..... "for the children ...").

Now, with those random thoughts purged, I would like to thank those who are willing to suffer the slings and arrows of constant criticism and volunteer their time to work for the good of the Town.  While I certainly don't agree with everybody all the time, I certainly do appreciate the amount of effort most of them put into their work.  (Somebody once said that "Public Service is like wetting your pants in a dark suit --- nobody notices, but you get that warm feeling! -- but I digress.)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!   

Merry Christmas!!

Why can't we have one of those? (By Bob Guerin)

Maybe it’s just me and maybe I don’t understand math and finance and local government but is anyone else wondering how Sandwich Schools managed to hire and pay an engineering consultant and still got themselves a $35 to $40 million dollar estimate to repair or replace the Henry T. Wing School while at the same time the Sturgis Public Charter School in Hyannis applied for and received a $9.75 million state bond to build a brand new 46,000 s/f, two-story academic building? 

According to local papers, the total cost of the Sturgis building project, including a recent land acquisition on Main Street Hyannis, is expected to be less than $15 million all in. 

So, is there someone out there in blog land who can provide a little insight and information to this taxpayer as to how and why Sturgis Charter can buy land and build a brand new 46,000 s/f, two-story academic building for less than $15 million all in (with $10 million in state aid) in less than 2 years time all while Sandwich dithers and debates a $40 million fix for Wing School? 

Seriously, recalling the great Town Hall rebuild and the damn dam project, why is it that every public works project in Sandwich seems so poorly planned and managed and so ridiculously expensive?

Adventures in Charter Review

There's no risk that the Sandwich Town Charter will ever be confused with the United States Constitution (and not just because one is stored in a bomb-proof, climate controlled vault deep in the basement of the National Archives while the other is stored in a manilla folder in the bottom drawer of Bud Dunham's desk!), but the principal is the same -- it lays out the framework for the operation of government

Not every Town has a charter -- which can lead to some "interesting" governmental issues.  For example, the Sandwich Charter prohibits Selectmen from holding any other town office or town employment while a member of the Board.  In the Town of Carver, which has no charter, two of the five Selectmen are also Town employees. That must make for interesting budget discussions.

One of the requirements of the Charter is that the Selectmen appoint a Charter Review Committee at least every 5 years to advise them on potential Charter revisions.  It also allows for the Charter to be amended by Town Meeting with the approval of the State Legislature.  It does not, however, specifically require that the BOS actually present the Charter Committee's recommendations to Town Meeting.  This discrepancy resulted in a minor political dust-up during the last round of Charter review discussions.

Last week's BOS agenda includes applicants' qualifications. The current pool of Charter Review Committee applicants looks pretty good -- a wide variety of professional backgrounds, most of whom have the reputation for doing their homework and playing well with others.  This would not be a good venue for random retaliation, excessive venom, or uninformed interrogations (unfortunately, that's what Town Meeting has become!).

Happy Thanksgiving!

(Insert your own joke here !)

9,807 Days without a contract ....

I was contemplating life at a traffic light this morning and started to think about how long I have been working without the benefit of a contract.  After a little quality time with Excel's date function, I have determined that for the past 9,807 days I have been employed solely as a result of my job performance.

I also know that there were a few times over those 9,807 days that my employer either was unwilling or unable to pay what I would like to have earned.  So ... I got myself another employer who was willing to do so.  

In the great free market economy, the law of supply and demand handles this situation very neatly.  Employers are willing to pay for the skills they need to operate their enterprise.  Employees are free to continue to  "trade" employers in an effort to get their desired compensation -- sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

No private enterprise ever functions well (or may not even survive) by being forced to compensate employees without regard to skill level, job performance or work ethic.  Anybody been to Detroit lately?

Is the dramatic increase in student enrollment at non-union Charter Schools a coincidence?

I think not.

Speaking of Marketing ....

There's an interesting perspective on advertising for students on Cape Cod Today this afternoon.  (Click here)

While you're in that neighborhood there's also an interesting column on the Sandwich Teachers Union managing to "snatch defeat from the jaws of victory".  (Click here)

and about advertising ...

If the School Committee had money to waste on advertising, I think they should start two countdown clocks of their own -- the first counting the actual number of days the contract has been in negotiation (since Fall of 2009) and a second for the number of days since the Committee filed a request for mediation assistance from the State in order to settle the contract (Spring of 2010 -- two school committees ago!)

I think a more effective (or at least more interesting) approach would be to skip the silly drama and rhetoric and publish an ad that specifies exactly what the disputed items are.  If one side is asking for something ridiculous and/or unaffordable and the other side is unable to provide said ridiculous or unaffordable item -- that is reality, NOT disrespect.  The ultimate disrespect TO TAXPAYERS would be to commit to demands that can not be funded under current revenue projections.  

Is it fair to employees?  Maybe not.  Does it happen in the private sector -- where most people don't have the benefit of tenure, pensions, health benefits, and work 60+ hours per week for 50 weeks a year?  Yup, every day. 

R-E-S-P-E-C-T .......

A Golden Opportunity?

Buried deep in the last paragraph on the 37th and final page of the most recent Teachers Union contract (Click here for copy) under Article XXI is a clause which states:

C. In the event the parties commence negotiations for a successor Agreement as provided herein, and such negotiations are not concluded before August 31, 2010, then, in such event, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until a successor Agreement is executed; but in no event beyond August 31, 2011.

Could this "evergreen clause" finally give the Committee the leverage it needs to make some important contract revisions?

Why would that be a good thing?

Overlooking the opportunity to restructure payroll and benefits costs, this could provide an opportunity to  "re-visit" language and work rules in several other areas -- the starting date of classes, staff attendance policy, scheduling, review procedures, grievance procedures, etc.  This could begin to give the Administration the tools it needs to start operating schools where employees are expected to do their job correctly or be terminated.  There would be no union intervention if you didn't do your job,  got arrested, or were found to be  too "impaired" to do what you were being paid to do.

Is this legal?

I'm not a lawyer -- nor do I play one on TV.  But last October the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled in a case involving the Boston Housing Authority that muncipal contracts are limited to three years and can not be extended under the terms of an "evergreen clause".  In supporting this ruling, The Mass Municipal Association wrote 

This SJC decision is a major victory for the taxpayers as its main effect will be to take away the union incentive to drag out contract negotiations for months and sometimes years after the contract has expired in order to increase leverage for their demands, with no downside to their dilatory tactics.  (Click here for full letter).

There is also a good news article on the impact this ruling has on local governments (click here). 


Have you no respect?

I have great respect for the teaching profession and a great many of it members.  My mother was a teacher, my daughter is studying to be a teacher, my kids have all had (and still have!) some great teachers.  I recognize that I don't have the patience to be a teacher -- although I have certainly benefited from many great teachers over the years.  I think good teachers should be given incentives to stay in the profession.  I think it is outrageous that a union can force a District to keep people who aren't great teachers.  These people negatively impact not only their students but the reputation of their colleagues.  I also think it is completely unfair that enthusiastic, well-trained, teachers are terminated every year while others who  have not updated a lesson plan since 1982 are not only retained, but also given a raise.

Why bring this up now?

The SEA contract expired on August 31, 2010.  It has been in negotiation since 2009.  Recognizing that no progress was being made, a prior School Committee called for outside mediation in 2010.  Nothing has been heard since.  Recently a school dance was cancelled because the teachers union was unwilling to provide chaperones without a new contract. (Despite the fact that, under the terms of the existing contract, teachers are entitled to $90 "extra duty compensation" to attend a school dance.)  I assume these small-scale job actions will increase as the union begins dragging more parents and students into their contract battles. 


Maybe the idea of having the entire contract re-written will offer incentive to resolve the situation?

Good PR... But at what cost?

I'm confused about the school committee discussion on "marketing" Sandwich High School.

I buy the idea of "improving the brand".  But, if I was shopping for a high school for one of my kids (and I am), I'd be more concerned about the quality of the education and the financial stability of the District than about the number of radio spots the District was willing to pay for.  In fact, I'd be concerned about a district that chose to spend scarce educational dollars on "marketing" (or pool cabanas !!).

Seriously, the District has been under siege for two years.  The best thing that could be done to "improve the brand" is to stay out of the damn newspaper! 

Of course, it would also be helpful if everyone was rowing in the same direction.

While Town and most school employees agreed to wage freezes, the Teachers Union has been unwilling to settle their contract for the past two years.  The union leadership did, however, find time to drive out a Superintendent, and file inumerable foolish grievances.  Now that they've had their fun, its time for the union leadership to settle the contract and begin rebuilding some public trust. 

On a related note, its also time for the School Committee to turn over contract negotiations to professionals.  Sending in uneducated, inexperienced volunteers to negotiate with their kid's homeroom teacher and the union's professional negotiators is like leaving a plate of scallops wrapped in bacon in front of my cat.  He'll bat them around for awhile -- and then eat them whole!  There's some Committee members that I wouldn't let run a deli cash register -- yet one of them is responsible for negotiating a multi-million dollar teachers' contract!

Another thing that may build some public confidence -- resolve the Community School issue.  The Community School was warned at least three years ago that their financial statements were essentially bogus and that they were heading for financial armageddon.  Two years ago, an outside auditor was brought in and raised similar concerns.  Today, (Surprise!) the Community School is on the verge of drowning in its own pool.  Pool revenues don't even cover operating costs --- let alone provide any funding for required capital maintenance. (Although, now there are some "cabanas" on the pool deck.)  Hopefully, the Superintendent will be able to locate three independent professionals to serve as Trustees and do what needs to be done.  Dr. Canfield is paid to run a school system -- not manage a pool club for the nice people of Cotuit, Marston Mills, and Mashpee!

There's a great quote in the Emptyprize this week:

School committee member Marie A. Kangas objected to the idea of using educational dollars for non-educational purposes.“Honestly,” she told the committee, “I would rather see new science books in the high school than spend $12,000 on a new website when we already have one.”

While I agree with her on this issue (THAT is a phrase I NEVER thought I would utter!!), It's ironic she doesn't feel the same way about using educational dollars to maintain the swimming pool.


There is always some "creative tension" between us "Bean Counters" and those "Marketeers" (which sounds way too much like "Mouseketeer!). I agree the District desparately needs better Public Relations -- but I don't think this is a problem that can be easily solved by throwing scarce educational dollars at it.

Finally, a Use for the Emptyprize !! (By Bob Guerin)

Finally, a use for the Emptyprize !!

It’s official. Whatever the Sandwich Enterprise is, it is NOT a newspaper.

This week the front page of the Enterprise is dominated by 2 articles about the High Schools’ open, part-time, Athletic Trainer position. Amazingly, one of the two Athletic Trainer articles is just “the first of a three part series.” I don’t think the Washington Post needed 3 parts to report Watergate and topple the Nixon adminstration.

Let’s not forget too that last week’s Enterprise contained a lengthy Editorial about the High Schools’ open, part-time, Athletic Trainer position also.

The rest of page 1 provides yet another listing the 50 or so private roads and dirt pathways the Town will not plow this winter. Really. That’s Page 1 of the so-called newspaper.

Maybe it’s just me but I don’t think any of this is “news” and I certainly don’t think any of this represents the most interesting, most impactful or most useful facts and information that could have been written about this week in Sandwich.

A newspaper is, according to Merriam–Webster, “a paper that is printed and distributed usually daily or weekly and that contains NEWS, articles of opinion, features, and advertising.”

Whatever else is in there, it is hard to say that the Enterprise contains “news.” It’s NOT a newspaper. But, maybe, that’s not news to anyone either?

Living in A Parallel Universe ?

The local papers have had a few great quotes  recently.

In the first situation, a local Hysterical Commission member asked the BOS to " table any action on Clark-Haddad until November so her panel could develop some “objective criteria” about the old building; and perhaps conduct a community visioning session related to its future viability".  Apparently the past 3-4 years that the building has been left there to rot were insufficient time to establish "criteria".

And, I have always believed you can NEVER have enough "community visioning" !!

Can we just cut to the chase -- I would be amazed  to see Town Meeting vote to spend $150,000 tax dollars (CPA funds ARE tax dollars!) to move a decrepit building across Town to give the local Chamber of Commerce a new clubhouse.  A cute clubhouse will not bring in the development or tourism dollars this Town needs.  Improve the beaches, clean-up the marina, improve public safety (on land -- stop chasing Fireboats!), and begin to develop a track record of cooperating with -- not extorting -- what few local developers still exist.

Speaking of developers ...

The second article involved local developer Tom Tsakalos' interest in building a Town Library on land he owns in the Golden Triangle area.  

Tsakalos is a guy who could not only make a silk purse out of  a sow's ear, but he would still have enough material left over to upholster a couch.  Tom has shown over and over that he can get the job done.  Anything substantial that has been built in Sandwich over the past decade was probably built by Tom.  I would be willing to bet the second largest taxpayer in Town (behind the Power Plant) would be Tsakalos.  At the rate the plant is going, he may soon be THE largest.

What is the response to his generous offer from the Library folks?  “The challenge here is to determine if our vision for a library matches his vision for a library.  ... I’m not sure his building will be what we've envisioned for a new library.".

A better answer would have been, "Thank you very much!  Welcome to the future site of Tsakalos Memorial Library".  Here's what I've envisioned for a new library -- a practical building of sufficient size and with appropriate parking and sewage capacity (ie. unlike the recent Town Hall reno).  It would be nice to have a building built by a guy who actually builds buildings AND maintains them.  It's the "maintaining" part where we seem to have problems.  We don't need more meeting rooms, we don't need pizza rooms, we don't need to provide teleconferencing facilities.  In this age of Nooks, Kindles, and Tablets, we probably don't even need a lot of room for books!

Of course, this probably would mean giving up the old library -- because if we can't afford to operate the existing one, there ain't no way we're going to be able to afford a second one!

In the third situation, a selectman expressed concern that a potential access road being proposed by Tsakalos -- to be built at his own expense to access land parcels owned by both him and the Town might "interfere" with the Pop Warner Field.  This concern isn't even the tail wagging the dog -- this is a flea wagging the dog!!  The land under that field was loaned to the Pop Warner organization.  Please don't tell me we gave away the right to relocate that field so we can access the 50+ acres behind it!

So, while we're wasting time arguing about spending money we don't have to move a building we don't need;  thinking up reasons why a $15 million library is better than a free one; and arguing whether a free road is A Bad Thing, we aren't talking about the looming deficit, the failing infrastructure, declining State Aid, the reduction in Power Plant tax revenue, or the fact that the Teachers Contract has been in negotiations for two years.  We also aren't talking publicly about a new Public Safety Building, the consolidation of Town offices, the impending renovation/decay of the Wing School, rising labor costs, or how we plan to maintain the new (almost) $1 million fireboat that we asked Uncle Sam for (maybe we could store it in the Clark-Haddad building?).

Beam me up Scotty ...

What am I missing?

Homeland Security Moose Boat
coming to a Marina near you !

I'm a big supporter of our public safety agencies -- I think our Police & Fire Departments are under-staffed and under-equipped.  I think their headquarters buildings are an embarrassment as as well as a safety hazard.

But, at a time when we can't open our third fire station or get an ambulance to the far corners of Sandwich -- even to rescue two of our own firefighters injured in a house fire -- how can we justify operating a $900,000 high-tech fire boat capable of hunting dirty bombs along the Cape Cod Canal ("Hey, you -- open that tackle box slowly !!").

Granted, the boat was a "gift" from Uncle Sam -- but anybody who has ever been given a free horse knows the cost is the care and feeding of the beast, not the acquisition cost.  How are we going to pay for the ongoing maintenance and training?  I hope we won't treat this boat the same way we treat other Town assets (ie. just ignore them and hope for the best).  How much rental income will the Marina lose by giving away a 40' slip?

I have to assume we won't be leaving a million dollar piece of equipment  unattended at the marina.  Who's going to babysit it?  If we can't staff our existing stations, how can we justify staffing a fireboat?

What's the Coast Guard for?  There's usually a pair of 40' USCG Boats stationed at the marina.  There's also multiple Canal Patrol boats staffed by the Army Corps of Engineers.  Lately, there also seem to several small, but very heavily armed, Navy boats in the the Marina --- let them defend the canal!  

No offense to my friends on SFD, but in the event of terrorist activity, I would be a little more comfortable seeing a heavily-armed Coastie on-scene than a Sandwich fireman.  Likewise, when I finally have The Big One, I would much rather have a Sandwich firefighter at my house working the defibrillator, than out on the canal checking the Onset Canal Cruise Boat for potential terrorist activity!

So much for reducing the Carbon Footprint ! (A guest Column by Mrs. Winchester)

This was contributed by a local resident who, while known to me, would prefer not to be known to others.  Although I would prefer including a contributor's name, I thought this was worth posting nonetheless.

Last fall on a beautiful Sunday afternoon we, like many, many others ahead of us, waited in line at the dump to get rid of our leaves. 90% of the people in line (out to Rte 130) were dumping leaves - not trash. There should have been a "pass through" lane. But, it gets better. Everyone dumps their leaves at the rear of the recycle bins. The leaves just get dumped on the ground. Next to the pile is a big trailer-truck hopper. The dump workers use heavy equipment to scoop up the leaves and fill the truck hopper. Which is then hooked up to a truck and driven up the hill to the huge compost pile where the leaves are dumped. 

Let's skip the part where we are employing DPW workers for the sake of finding them something to do (and polluting the environment and wasting fuel at the same time) and just have the townspeople drive up the hill, bypassing the line for people waiting to dump their trash, and dump the leaves in their final resting place at the huge compost pile. Then, if a DPW worker REALLY has a hankering for operating large equipment, they can push the leaves around up there. 

What a waste of time, manpower and money. 

Just say "No" !!

I am concerned.

One of the Emptyprize scribblers actually agreed with my position that School Committee meetings should be held in a School Building -- not relocated to Town Hall for the sole convenience of the local cable TV crew.

Don't get me wrong -- SCT staff members perform a tremendous public service by broadcasting local meetings, particularly since most of them are volunteers.  The SCT staff frequently works much harder than some members of the Committees they cover! SCT presents the "news" as it happens -- without the bullshit and biases that permeates so much of the local print "media".   SCT is a great thing and needs to  be recognized for their contribution to local government.

That being said, lets not let the tail wag the dog.

SCT has again requested that the School Committee move their meetings to Town Hall in order to reduce the amount of wear and tear school meetings on their people and equipment caused by broadcasting from the High School library.

Fortunately, the School Committee doesn't appear to be as enamored  by the nifty Town Hall renovations as some others.  I'm willing to overlook the cosmetic considerations -- although I do think the photo quality of the School meetings is far superior to the Town Hall meetings.  (I was also amused that the aforementioned scribbler did manage to blame part of the photo glare on the bald heads of certain elected officials!!)

My concern is more basic -- the School Committee needs to actually see the buildings they are responsible for.  They also need to be accessible to those who are impacted by their decisions (or non-decisions).  The current location allows students, parents and teachers who are already in the school building to attend a meeting and make their opinions known.  (That could be considered part of the "transparency" concept that certain Dopes like to yammer on about -- even if they no idea what the term means.)

There are also practical considerations. Committee meetings involve numerous school employees and administrators as well as a large number of documents, invoices, handouts, and related technology.  That's not too bad in the same building, but is it reasonable to expect all those people and materials be transported  across Town (to a building with no parking spaces) -- just for the convenience of the local cable volunteers?

I think not.

I hope the Committee will publicly recognize the  good work that SCT has been doing, but not agree to evacuate the school building.

Old Doesn't Mean Historic !!!! (By Bob Guerin)

Who are you calling Historic ?

This morning’s Cape Cod Times has yet another story about what’s happening (or not) with the Clark-Haddad building.  Abandoned years ago by the School Committee as too old, too costly, too small and generally worthless, the building was, the School Committee thought, to be quickly sold with the cash earned to be used to maintain and improve other Town buildings.

There are more than $25 million dollars in already known Town building repairs NOT being done because there’s no money to pay for them.

But, amazingly, to many in Sandwich being old seems to be the same as being Historic and so the question of what to do with Clark-Haddad drags on.

Apparently, 100 years or less from now, when someone thinks that the Oak Ridge School has served its useful life purpose and that future repair and upkeep costs can’t be justified, others will attempt to label the Oak Ridge school “historic.”

Someone will even slap a silly, self made, historic marker to its door, I suppose.   Somehow, just labeling something “Circa whatever” suggest to many a historic significance and import but this is not so.

"Old" and "Historic" are not synonyms.

A school is not historic because its old.  A storage building is not historic because its old.  Clark-Haddad is not historic; its old.

Its time to stop the historic hysterics; sell Clark-Haddad and move on.

Sandwich is rightly proud of its historic past but everything old is not historic and that’s a lesson Sandwich seems to need to learn if it is going to be able to afford to preserve what is truly historic and significant about this marvelous old town and its buildings.

To be clear ...

Sean Gonsalves wrote a good article in the Cape Cod Times this AM questioning the basic fairness of Sandwich parents paying fees while effectively subsidizing Community School swim memberships for the good folks of Cotuit, Mashpee, Falmouth, etc. (click here for article)

Just to be clear, there is no line in the School Budget that says "Contribution to Community School".  But there are lines for utility expenses, maintenance, etc.  If the Community School doesn't reimburse the District for its share of those costs, the District is, in effect, making that contribution.

Community School "Business Plan" Observations

Not the Community School AGAIN !!!!!!!!

DISCLAIMER: I think the Community School provides a very valuable service to members of our Community. I am not disputing the need for, or the quality of, the programs offered. I have taken several courses there, as have several members of my family. My only issue is that the cost of offering those programs, including any costs incurred by the School District for the benefit of the Community School, be paid by the Community School -- not with local property taxes intended for K-12 education.

I briefly reviewed the Community School Business Plan/Budget that was discussed at a recent School Committee meeting. The report was certainly long on data, but very short on real information. I also believe the Business Plan was missing one important component - an actual PLAN.

I have several serious issues with it; but here are some of the most glaring concerns that jumped off the page at me:

1) It appears that the Auditors' suggestion to adopt the accrual basis of accounting has been ignored. As a result, program revenue includes almost $78,000 for camps which were not actually held until the following year -- FY '12. It's important to note that although the income was recognized in FY '11 - the expenses won't be recognized until FY '12. This distorts the true operating results for FY '11 - it also ignores Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). This makes it impossible to determine the actual operating results of that program. Matching income and expense is a basic (but crucial) accounting concept.

2) $86,000 was budgeted for pool energy costs in FY '11, yet only $10,000 was actually reimbursed to the District. Did the Committee take a vote to divert District funds to the Community School program by NOT requesting utility reimbursements for FY '11? It appears that there is $57,000 budgeted for this line in FY '12 - why the difference?

It seems bizarre (and unfair) that parents are forced to pay for Full Day Kindergarten, as well as purchase paper towels, pencils and crayons for classrooms, yet there seems to be no concern about using dwindling school funds to subsidize Community School Pool costs. Its even more ironic, given that the Community School's own report shows that only 40% of its users actually live (and pay taxes) in Sandwich.

Based on these two issues alone, it appears that the actual operating loss for the Community School was grossly understated for FY '11.

3) It also appears that the auditors' suggestion to allocate General & Administrative (Central Office) costs across the various programs has been ignored. In determining the economic viability of a program, it's important to look not only at whether its revenue covers its related costs - but also a proportionate share of the general overhead costs of running the Community School. There also needs to be a discussion of the fairness of cost allocations. 

Why should users of the Adult Ed, Early Learning, and Drivers Ed programs pay higher fees to generate profits in their programs in order to offset costs which are not paid by pool users?

4) On a more basic level, the pool is budgeted to almost break even in FY '12 - BEFORE any allocation of overhead costs. The pool energy issue has not been addressed at all in the FY '12 Budget --- $86,000 was budgeted for FY '11 pool energy costs BUT only $11,000 was actually reimbursed to the District. Approximately $57,000 is proposed for FY '12. Is there any plan to reimburse the District for FY '11 energy costs? Why are School District tax dollars still being used to subsidize Community pool operations?

5) The FY '12 budget presentation is deceiving because it compares the FY '12 budget to the FY '11 Budget (not FY '11 Actual Costs). In fact, the only actual numbers for FY 12 are only through March 31. Why aren't a full year's actual results included for a realistic (and relevant) comparison?

6) There is no discussion of the cost of any of the pool cabana renovations discussed at the last meeting - or any discussion of the impact the current pool restrictions have had during the final quarter of FY '11 - or are expected to have during the coming year.

7) There is no discussion of how the upcoming capital repair work to re-grout the pool will be handled. This cost will likely reach $30,000 and will result in additional loss revenue during the period the pool is drained, repaired, and refilled.

8) There is also no discussion of how the upcoming costs of replacing/repairing the aging filtering equipment will be handled. Presumably, there will be a plea to Town Meeting for funding for the re-grouting, filtration equipment - but given the precarious nature of municipal finances, and the current public sentiment, this funding source can hardly be guaranteed.

9) I didn't review individual line items for reasonableness or inconsistent cost allocations between years (ie. Shifting costs from unprofitable to profitable programs). I also didn't look at Community School Admin staffing and how those costs should be fairly and realistically allocated between various programs. 

10) There does not seem to be any plan to continue the audit for either FY '10 or FY '11. Given the ongoing controversies with this issue, I strongly believe continuing the audit process (particularly if the report was not ignored) would help build critical local support. 

11) Local support is critical - particularly since the Plan shows that 60% of Community School revenue comes from non-residents. While these folks may be willing to attend School Committee meetings and yell, they do not pay local taxes, attend Town Meeting, or vote for either School Committee members or tax overrides. There should be no perceived obligation for Sandwich taxpayers to subsidize residents of surrounding Towns with tax dollars intended for K-12 education. 

Dr. Canfield has made a giant step toward resolving these issues by calling for an independent three member Board of Trustees with financial and managerial experience to advise his office on Community School operations.  The attention of the school administration needs to be on providing the best education possible to the K-12 students whose parents pay taxes in Sandwich -- not providing a subsidized pool membership for the nice old man from Cotuit.

What's a "Priority" ? (From Anonymous)

I received these comments recently from a Sandwich parent who asked that his name not be published.

Local talk radio personality Ed Lambert spent Tuesday morning talking about the cost of back to school supply shopping and the seemingly endless list of needs and wants teachers are able to generate for cash-strapped parents.

In Sandwich, requests for pens, pencils, tissues, glue sticks, hand sanitizers, paper, crayons and more have already been sent home this week. Each year teachers also ask for supply help from each school’s PTA (Parent Teacher Association). Requests to these organizations include the purchase of books, computers, software and more.

This year’s school budget is almost $30 million (not counting grant moneys). You’d think that somewhere in a $30 million budget you’d find money for pencils, crayons, paper and maybe some tissues.

Either these aren’t really priority spend items or maybe the schools count on sucker parents to foot the bill for the basics even after paying their taxes. It’s the same sorry game for sports, music and theatre too – school administrators bang sucker parents another $150 per season for sports and extra curriculars on top of sky-high taxes.

So, how come parents are writing big checks and spending big bucks on tissues, pencils, paper, tubas and track?

Here’s the deal: School Department wages are growing at an astounding 5.5% on average and have for at least the last 8 years . The payroll is so large and grows so fast that there’s little to nothing left for supplies, maintenance and extra curriculars. The school department, including its teachers, has figured out that “concerned” Parents will pay one way or another; and that’s just what they make them do!

Ed Lambert and his radio legions shouldn’t be the only one talking about this mess and asking hard questions.

"According to the Sandwich Enterprise, name something you DO NOT 

need to do before writing a book"

"What is 'READ a book', Alex ..."

The Rest of the Story ....

It's nice to see that The Local Rag is maintaining its long-standing tradition of never letting a lack of research get in the way of a distorted story.

But first, congratulations to Dr. Canfield for recognizing the toxicity of the Community School issue. His plan to appoint three independent people with relevant financial/business experience to review the viability of Community School operations will help distance that fiasco from his primary responsibility -- running the Sandwich K-12 School District. The amount of effort (and local tax dollars) the school administration has spent supervising a money-losing operation is crazy -- particularly since 60% of the Community School clientele doesn't even live (or pay taxes) in Sandwich.

Also, congratulations to Andrea Killion for voting against the proposed Community School Budget. The "Business Plan" delivered to the School Committee not only lacked an actual "Plan" but also lacked the meaningful financial statements or any of the realistic budget discussions that would be required to produce a true plan.

Here's a few important points that didn't manage to see the light of day in this week's local "news" coverage:

1) The School District uses tax dollars to maintain the school building and grounds and, in the past, allowed the Community School to rent out those facilities and keep the money. The Community School would then use that money to fund its operations, including operating the swimming pool for the benefit of public in Sandwich and surrounding towns (60% of Community School customers do not live in Sandwich). Under State law, revenue from the rental of public school facilities needs to be applied against the cost of maintaining those facilities.

Why should Sandwich taxpayers fund the operation of a swimming pool for non-residents -- particularly when they are also being forced to pay athletic fees, activities fees, Kindergarten tuition, and purchase an extensive list of back to school supplies? If the District is able to reduce maintenance costs by renting out facilities, why should those savings benefit non-residents instead of reducing what Sandwich residents are forced to contribute?

A prior School Committee recognized that this was not only inherently unfair -- but also contrary to State Law, and changed that policy. It's unfortunate that some members of the current committee are still so unfamiliar with the related state regulations -- despite sitting there for 1-2 years!

Hurricane Update

In the finest local media tradition, all fact-checking has been suspended for this post (BUT I heard that everything is true.)

Carl Johansen is seen guiding a fishing boat around
 Sandwich Police HQ in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

Sandwich Engine One was swallowed by a pothole on
Quaker Meetinghouse after it was unable to return to Station 1
which washed out to sea.

Today's Cape Cod Times Editorial:

August 24, 2011

Murky Waters

Dipping their toes back into the Sandwich High School pool controversy, the school committee once again mishandled an important community issue.

By a 5-2 vote last Wednesday, the school committee approved a short-term plan to allow nonstudents access to the school building during the school day to use the pool.  (Click here to continue ...)

Come on in, the water is fine ....

Blonder .... Definitely Not Brighter ...

It appears that certain School Committee members spent far more time working on their hair color this summer than they did reading Mass General Law!

First, Kangas questioned whether or not the School District should return the funds received from Facilities Rentals to the Community School Program.  She apparently thinks its a good idea that the buildings are maintained using educational tax dollars, but that any rental revenue derived from the use of the buildings be diverted to subsidize Community School operations.   Under that same philosophy, maybe I should put an ad on Craig's List to rent out her house!  

Then, the Pool Task Force presented their recommendations -- except they had no documents, no budget, no drawings, in fact, no written document of any kind --  AND they claimed they had already authorized school funds to be expended for modifications to the pool area.   There are two giant red flags on this play:

1)  Regardless of whatever charge the Task Force thinks they may have had -- the purpose of a task force is to make a recommendation which  would be acted upon by the entire committee.  Two Committee members on a Task Force are certainly not authorized to spend money -- or make policy by themselves.

Hey !! Us Too !! Us Too !!!

Following the recent increase in Chatham tourism resulting from multiple Great White Shark sightings, Sandwich officials revealed that a shark had also been sighted in Shawme Pond attacking what appeared to be a seal.

In a reference to last year's 5 hour Town Meeting discussion about the Town's Natural Resources Dept budget, an unnamed spokesman was quoted as saying, "Damnit, I told you we needed a bigger boat!".

SEIC Chairman, John Kennan had no comment on the situation but was seen unloading a bucket of herring behind the Grist Mill as the Thomas Family played the theme from Jaws from the lawn of the Congregational Church overlooking the Pond.

Coincidentally, Assistant Town Manager Doug Lapp filed a grievance this week, claiming that being forced to wear a seal suit for 8 hours a day was a violation of his employment agreement with the Town.

I thought the bait smelled.... turns out it was only the Emptyprize!

I thought everything that needed to be said had been said.  Now I hear that one of our crankiest, least accurate, and least independent, local scribes (and THAT is saying something) criticized me for not hanging around to beat a dead horse some more.

I haven't actually read the rag.  I am sure I will respond at some point because I wouldn't want anybody to give her venomous ramblings any credence.  It's just not on this weekend's priority list.  (It's like watching monkeys throw crap at the zoo -- entertaining at first, but not a lot of long-term satisfaction!)

A new Superintendent will be here shortly.  And, so won't the auditors.

For four years we worked to get a more complete audit  of School Department costs, including the Community School, the Athletic Revolving Account, and the Student Activity accounts.  Last March, I was one of three former School Committee members that filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General to force the finalization of the 2009 Community School Audit.  The OIG was interested in the bidding irregularities raised in the draft audit, and they felt the other concerns about Community School costs being paid by the school district warranted a closer look by the Dept. of  Revenue and the Dept. of Education.

Without the distraction of constant personnel battles, and with the involvement of the DOR, the DOE, the OIG, and the Town's auditors, maybe the New & Improved School Committee will finally be able to answer the question:  What does it cost to operate the Community School, and who is paying for it?  

THAT should really piss her off!

Back to fishing ...

See You in September .....

OMG did I say anything could be normal (From "Greg")

The below comment was submitted by "Greg" in response to the post about the last ugly school committee meeting.  I don't know who Greg is, but I think his comments are worth their own post.

I painfully took the time to watch the Witches of Eastwick stir their brew during the second half of the School Committee meeting. Normally, OMG did I say anything could be normal with these three? Normally when a professional leaves an organization, its an opportunity to thank them for their service, their achievements and most importantly to wish them well in their future endeavors. Not one of the Witches of Eastwick could offer anything except more cherries to feed Dr Johnson.

Is it possible that the actions of Crossman, Linehan and Kangas will be forgotten over the next 316 days? Come election time, the bill is due on these three. Is it possible that we can pass anti-pit bull legislation to keep Kangas from wanting to kick a good person when she was down? Can anyone, before the next election of the three New Jersey Housewives (Grossman,Linehan,Kangas) find a way to make this video of the June 22nd SC meeting mandatory viewing?

Who can possibly want these vindictive and self centered puppets to make decisions concerning the future of any child? I did happen to notice that each time Crossman spoke during the oration of her motion, Linehan's hand was moving. Puppetry at its finest. Probably the worst hour of history for the town of Sandwich. Ihave only words of hope and praise for Dr Johnson, she did an outstanding job considering her battlefield.

By Greg on A Bad Flashback .... on 6/29/11

How much to throw out a Toyota Highlander?

There was an amusing scene at the dump today:  Traffic was backed up to Route 130 as folks rushed to throw out everything possible before the very expensive PAYT odyssey begins next week.  Most of these vehicles were trucks, or at least big SUV's, and all were idling patiently spewing unknown amounts of air pollution that was probably destined to melt icebergs, kill polar bears and penguins, or whatever the latest eco-story is. (Click here to watch official DumpCam)

I'm sure all of these folks had something they would rather be doing on a sunny Sunday -- but I am also sure they have things they would rather spend their money on than trash disposal.

There was a Toyota Highlander parked nose-in at the pit. The driver seemed to be having a lovely chat on her cellphone -- as an entire line of vehicles (spewing hydrocarbons, etc.) waited for her to move so they could unload and get on with their day.  But, I'm sure the inconsiderate moron meant well.  Afterall, her T-shirt said, "Go Green, Cape Cod".

Do as I say ... Not as I do ?

It's about time

Interesting article in today's CCT about the "troubled tenure" of Dr. Johnson.  It would have been nice if the press had looked at "the big picture" a little sooner -- rather than feeding on the scraps of information hand fed them by those with axes to grind.

Sandwich High in Newsweek's top 500 Schools in Nation !!

Congratulations to administration and staff of Sandwich High for being named one of Newsweek;s top 500 high schools in the nation.  SHA was one of only two schools on Cape Cod and one of 11 schools on Massachusetts which made the list.



(Click here for Newsweek article)

A Bad Flashback ....

Last night's School Committee Meeting was like a bad flashback.

I have to admit, I've been comfortable that there are 4 responsible members on the Committee that actually have the best interests of the kids at heart so I haven't bothered to watch many of the meetings lately.  I will admit I have subscribed to the popular sentiment to just ignore the remaining three stooges until the clock runs out on them.

But, as last night was the Superintendent's last meeting, I assumed the Bitches of Eastwick would make one last effort to lend the meeting the gravitas of a midget mud wrestling contest.  And, at least in that respect, they did not dissappoint.

During a presentation on changes made in the SPED program, Hands Linnehan continually interupted with her own rambling cacophony of observations/statements/questions.  This brought to mind three thoughts -- (1)  What the hell has she been doing for the past two years, since she didn't seem to even understand her questions -- let alone the Superintendent's answers.  (2) Who cares about her personal "philosophy" ?  I would take the side of experienced, certified SPED teachers, and experience, professional, licensed administrators over the opinion of someone whose sole profesional qualification seems to be working in a school library.  Finally (3) What's the point -- the Superintendent is leaving next week.  Although, if the new Superintendent needs a good library book on Special Education, I'm sure he knows who to call!

Congratulations, Kaitlin & Company !!!

Congratulations to my old colleague, Kaitlin Meiss, and all her fellow graduates in the  Sandwich High Class of 2011! 

Kaitlin set a new record by serving three years as the Student Representative to the School Committee.   While she was always a  welcome participant in Committee discussions, its unfortunate that she was never allowed to vote. 

I suspect Kaitlin is far too polite to mention some of her most "memorable" moments on the Committee.  But, the one that sticks in my own mind was watching  Kaitlin, the Student Representative, politely pointing out budget lines to an elected, but clearly confused,  "fiscal watchdog".  (You have to love local cable!)

It would be encouraging to know that all of our elected representatives were as well-prepared, intelligent, attentive and respectful as Kaitlin.   ("Kaitlin, stop calling me Mr. Simmons !!")

Good Luck to Kaitlin, and all of this year's graduates!

Charter Review ... and escape hatches ...

"EXIT .... Stage Right ..."  

It's that time again. The Board of Selectmen has requested that residents interested in reviewing the Town Charter and discussing the need for any potential revisions submit a letter of interest to Town Hall by September 1.

Under the terms of section 9.2 of The Town Charter:

At least every five (5) years, the Selectmen shall appoint a Charter Review Committee to be composed of seven (7) members for a period not longer than six (6) months, who shall submit their recommendations to the Board of Selectmen and shall file proceedings of their deliberations.

I am sure there will be many ideas discussed -- some of the proposed changes may even be realistic.  But here's one for the list:

Section 4.3.3 of the current Charter requires that School Committee vacancies be filled by a Special Election if there are more than 8 months to the next regular election.  On at least one occaision, the Town was required to incur the expense of holding a special election to fill a single vacant seat. On several other occaisions, the Committee limped along with only 6 members. 

As an alternative, most Towns in the Commonwealth follow Mass. General Law Chapter 41 (section 11) which allows the vacancy to be filled until the next scheduled election by a joint appointment of the remaining School Committee Members and the Board of Selectmen.  (Ironically, the current School Committee Procedures manual actually lists the state law as the procedure for filling mid-term vacancies -- despite the Charter contradiction.)

I hope the new Charter Review Commission will give serious consideration to adopting this change. It might encourage members with other obligations (or who may have found themselves completely unqualified for their positions) to resign.  This would save the cost of a Special Election, and help ensure the public was fully represented  by a qualified and professional committee.

Sounds like a win for everybody!